Expansion of school traffic measures plan approved

The School Streets scheme bans cars from driving down certain roads during set times

The roll-out of nine new traffic measures near schools in a bid to protect students has been advanced to the next stage by Medway Council.

The School Streets scheme bans cars from driving down certain roads during set times around the beginning and end of the school day to create pedestrianised areas for children to walk.

Alex Paterson, the council's portfolio holder for community safety, highways and enforcement, said 1,200 children were injured on UK roads every month within 500m (546.8yds) of their school.

He said: “I’m simply not prepared to accept this epidemic as an inevitable part of life in Medway."

The councillor added: “Instead of waiting for casualties, we choose to improve safety now.”

Drivers who ignore the restrictions will receive a fine, although residents, blue badge holders and emergency vehicles will be exempt, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

An initial group of seven schools had the measures introduced in April, and in September the authority announced they were looking at more.

Following a consultation, the authority’s cabinet has agreed to progress the planned expansion to the next stage – a legally-required consultation for its ultimate implementation.

Ms Paterson said: “In my view, no reasonable parent would put their own convenience ahead of the safety of the community."

The schools in the second set are Crest Infant and Nursery School/Delce Academy, King’s Pre-Preparatory School and Nursery, and St William of Perth Roman Catholic Primary School in Rochester; Fairview Community Primary School and St Margaret’s Church of England Junior School/St. Margaret's Infant School in Rainham; Horsted School in Chatham; Hilltop Primary School in Frindsbury; High Halstow Primary Academy in High Halstow; and Cliffe Woods Primary School/Cliffe Woods Pre-School/City of Rochester School in Cliffe Woods.